60mph car chase through Kirkby with ten-year-old passenger

Kyle Gareth Parkin, 26, of Rowan Drive, Kirkby, admitted driving dangerously, failing to stop when asked by officers, driving without a licence and without insurance.

Police spotted a Ford Mondeo on Lowmoor Road at around 10.30am on September 26. When they checked the registration plate, they discovered the car was only registered to a woman, while officers could clearly see Parkin behind the wheel.

Almas Ben-Aribia, prosecuting, told Nottingham Crown Court that when the police turned on their blue lights to stop him, Parkin sped up and drove off into the Coxmore estate, accelerating to 40mph in a 20mph zone and driving over traffic-calming bumps.

She said that he drove at speed along Marlborough Road, Alexandra Street and Byron Avenue. He failed to give way to another car and reached speeds of 50 and 60mph in 20 and 30mph zones, overtaking a slower vehicle on the wrong side of the road.

Parkin lost control of the Mondeo on Byron Avenue when the back of the car slid out and hit a kerb, puncturing the rear tyre and forcing him to stop.

His young sister was found crying in the car when the police opened the door to arrest him.

The court was told that Parkin had five previous driving offences including twocking, drink-driving and driving while disqualified.

In October this year he was convicted of driving while under the influence of cannabis and disqualified from driving for two years.

James Horne, mitigating, said that Parkin had regularly appeared in court during his late teens but, after a custodial sentence in 2009, this behaviour was ‘turned off like a tap’ and since then Parkin had found employment. Since the incident of September 26, Parkin had determined to address his use of cannabis and was making good progress.

Mr Horne said: “He panicked because he was driving without insurance or a license. He immediately apologised and was tearful in interview. He was plainly remorseful.

“The reality is he will lose his employment and accommodation if he is sent to prison. That is not to say it won’t be deserved.”

District recorder Andrew Easteal said: “This was by any standards an absolutely disgraceful piece of driving. You might have killed yourself. You might have killed your sister. Or you might have killed any number of pedestrians walking out into the road.

“At almost every inch and yard you covered you put someone’s life at risk. You took a blind bend at speed, once again putting everyone’s life in danger around you.

“Your sister must have been terrified by your utter disregard for her safety.

“I bet my bottom dollar that I am not the first judge to say you’re putting peoples’ lives at risk - and still you do it, even to your own family.”

In light of the mitigation, Parkin was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years, and must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and attend a 15 day rehabilitation requirement. He was disqualified for two years and must re-sit his driving test.